Turning off the power steering

PMKeates · 13 Feb 2007 at 15:45

I had a slight thing with my steering fixed today, and it's made the car much more pleasurable to drive - just better all round steering. For a laugh, I thought I'm gonna have a go at trying to drive a 1500kg car with 225 front tyres, a 3.0L engine, with no power assistance, with my weedy arms!

Will simply removing the power steering fuse be enough? Is there gonna be any potential pitfalls, a downside to doing this? Will everything be okay with just the fuse removed?

Ta for any help given

DRZ · 13 Feb 2007 at 15:48

Its not simply a case of pulling a fuse. Well, that will disable the power steering but rather than becoming like normal unassisted steering its going to be loads heavier as you will have to work against the PAS system too. The only effective way is probably to drain the rack of fluid which probably isnt that good an idea really.

In short: Dont bother.

happytechie · 13 Feb 2007 at 15:49

I pulled the fuse in the MGs power steering ages ago. it makes it allot more pleasant to drive, sure parking requires a bit more arm muscle but you get a lot more 'feel' on the corners and there is a bit more weight at speed on the motorway

mine is an electrical system not a hydraulic one

Paul

PMKeates · 13 Feb 2007 at 15:49

DRZ said:
In short: Dont bother.

Oh well, thanks for the answer! I'd forgotten all about the resistance from the pump itself :eek:

PMKeates · 13 Feb 2007 at 15:50

happytechie said:
Do it and see, the worst thing you have to do is put the fuse back in

Is that it though? Is there any potential "bad thing" that could occur with the car with just the fuse removed? :confused:

Akira · 13 Feb 2007 at 15:50

Get it up to about 70-80 on the motorway, then just before a bend, drop it into neutral or put the clutch in and switch the engine off. It may not be good for you or the car, but it'll raise the IQ of this forum no end.

Kroegen · 13 Feb 2007 at 15:51

I wouldnt. I wish i had power steering

Simon · 13 Feb 2007 at 15:57

Is it electric?

Removing the fuse will remove the electrics pump effects of basically helping your arms turn the wheel. I'd expect it to be better at higher speeds though with more feedback, a lot of systems do control this assistance depending on the speed of the car though so it might not even being doing much at speed.

Electric systems are much better than hydraulic systems for the reasons of economy and hence are favoured by OEMs.

cdcopyman · 13 Feb 2007 at 16:06

OBC SAYS NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

PMKeates · 13 Feb 2007 at 16:07

Akira said:
Get it up to about 70-80 on the motorway, then just before a bend, drop it into neutral or put the clutch in and switch the engine off. It may not be good for you or the car, but it'll raise the IQ of this forum no end.

How incredibly nice of you to suggest that.

Simon said:
Is it electric?

I believe not - the pump's driven directly by the engine for (Almost) certain.

Adz · 13 Feb 2007 at 16:17

When my ancillary belt snapped, I was told by my mechanic that driving the car over to him would quite possibly wreck the PAS pump. I wouldn't recommend it

.

Lopéz · 13 Feb 2007 at 16:18

PMKeates said:
I believe not - the pump's driven directly by the engine for (Almost) certain.

Then there won't be a fuse.

Simon · 13 Feb 2007 at 16:27

Lopéz said:
Then there won't be a fuse.

Yep. A fuse wont stop a hydraulic system working

Badgerpoo · 13 Feb 2007 at 16:29

I once had to drive my old 325 to the garage across town that would stall as soon as you put it in neutral and let off the accelerator (Made changing gear/stopping at lights interesting). It did it mid corner despite my best efforts and the sudden change in force to turn the wheel was horrible, it really does get heavy.

PMKeates · 13 Feb 2007 at 16:31

Lopéz said:
Then there won't be a fuse.

Of course

Simon said:
Yep. A fuse wont stop a hydraulic system working

Thanks for reminding to check the obvious, and then telling me the result of my findings

Oh well, it seems I will never get to drive it unassisted unless I completely disassemble the PAS. Which I'm not going to do

Simon · 13 Feb 2007 at 16:33

PMKeates said:
Of course

Thanks for reminding to check the obvious, and then telling me the result of my findings

Oh well, it seems I will never get to drive it unassisted unless I completely disassemble the PAS. Which I'm not going to do

Cut the Hose, that will work.

merlin · 13 Feb 2007 at 16:34

PMKeates said:
For a laugh, I thought I'm gonna have a go at trying to drive a 1500kg car with 225 front tyres, a 3.0L engine, with no power assistance, with my weedy arms!

I swear you're getting worse

PMKeates · 13 Feb 2007 at 16:34

Simon said:
Cut the Hose, that will work.

I might cut the brake pipes while I'm there, see if I can stop the car Flintstone-stylee

PMKeates · 13 Feb 2007 at 16:35

merlin said:
I swear you're getting worse

For my next challenge - car surfing!!

eidolon · 13 Feb 2007 at 16:57

Simon said:
Is it electric?

Removing the fuse will remove the electrics pump effects of basically helping your arms turn the wheel. I'd expect it to be better at higher speeds though with more feedback, a lot of systems do control this assistance depending on the speed of the car though so it might not even being doing much at speed.

Electric systems are much better than hydraulic systems for the reasons of economy and hence are favoured by OEMs.

The one on the CTR is terrible, you can be too quick for it when doing a 3 point turn or something and you end up with no PAS.

The MGF has the lightest steering known to man at parking speeds, even a female hairdresser could easily park it. Oh wait.......

The Elise feels perfect at every speed, 860kg, 175 front tyres = no PAS required